Waiter and Waitress Salary in Atlantic City, NJ
Waiters and Waitresses in the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metro area earn a median $38,160 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,223 take-home, or $2,685 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Atlantic City, NJ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,399
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,366
- Medicare (1.45%)$553
- New Jersey income tax$618
- Take-home pay$32,223
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Atlantic City, NJ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,592 | $2,299 |
| 25th percentile | $32,450 | $15.60 | $27,773 | $2,314 |
| Median (50th) | $38,160 | $18.35 | $32,223 | $2,685 |
| 75th percentile | $53,040 | $25.50 | $43,415 | $3,618 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,900 | $36.01 | $58,932 | $4,911 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Jersey resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,160 buys in Atlantic City, NJ
Prices in Atlantic City, NJ are 1.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $32,223 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,596 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlantic City, NJ has 2.5× the national concentration of waiter and waitress jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Atlantic City, NJ ranks #35 of 148 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $60,250 | $47,542 | $42,846 |
| 4 | Spokane, WA | $48,560 | $41,198 | $41,056 |
| 5 | Syracuse, NY | $47,640 | $38,483 | $40,195 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $54,780 | $42,232 | $40,060 |
| 7 | Albany, NY | $48,980 | $39,488 | $39,660 |
| 8 | Buffalo, NY | $46,580 | $37,689 | $39,323 |
| 35 | Atlantic City, NJ | $38,160 | $32,223 | $32,596 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 148 metros →
About the job: waiters and waitresses
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.0% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Atlantic City, NJ?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metro area is $38,160 a year, or about $18.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,450 and $53,040.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Atlantic City, NJ?
On the median $38,160 salary, a single filer living in New Jersey takes home about $32,223 a year ($2,685 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $618 in New Jersey taxes in 2026.
Is Atlantic City, NJ a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 1.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,596 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlantic City, NJ ranks #35 of 148 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Atlantic City, NJ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlantic City, NJ is $1,493 a month ($1,848 for two bedrooms) — 56% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlantic City, NJ
- Cooks, Restaurant — $40,250
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,270